On Saturday, two thieves plans were foiled. A patrol officer checked the Woodbury Town Center due to a recent increase in Orange County distraction thefts in stores, according to the Irvine Police Department.
The officer spotted two suspicious men engaged in activity commonly seen in distraction phone and wallet thefts.
As the pair left, the officer made a traffic stop on their vehicle. During a search, officers located eight cell phones wrapped in aluminum foil and other suspicious property and documents. What a waste of foil!
The officers quickly located multiple cell phone theft victims from Irvine and Orange County stores.
Wille Anderson Martinez Vega, 40, of Upland, was arrested for burglary, possessing stolen property, and conspiracy. Estiven Cortez Pena, 27, who did not have an address, was arrested for burglary, conspiracy, and possessing stolen property. The duo was wrapped up and booked at Orange County Jail.
Distraction thefts in public places continue to occur in the Southern California area. As a reminder:
- Instead of a purse, carry a crossbody bag
- Keep your distance from people you do not know
- Be cautious of people asking you random questions or trying to call your attention elsewhere #sus
- When you are in public, make sure your purse is zipped closed or latched shut.
- When grocery shopping, never store your purse in your shopping cart. Thieves will grab valuables from open purses when shoppers are distracted #happensinaflash
- Report suspicious behavior or situations to law enforcement
In California, the penalties for distraction theft, including the theft of cell phones, can vary based on the circumstances of the crime. Generally, theft is categorized as either petty theft or grand theft, depending on the value of the stolen property.
- Petty Theft: If the value of the stolen cell phone is less than $950, it is considered petty theft. This is usually charged as a misdemeanor, which can result in penalties such as up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- Grand Theft: If the value of the stolen cell phone is $950 or more, it is considered grand theft. This can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. As a misdemeanor, it carries similar penalties to petty theft. As a felony, it can result in up to 3 years in state prison.
Additionally, if the theft involves any form of distraction or trickery, it could potentially lead to more severe charges, such as robbery, which involves force or fear and carries even harsher penalties.
Thank you for the updates! We need to stay informed as to what is going on in our cities, for our own protection from criminals.
Don’t respond to, acknowledge, or make eye contact with strangers asking or telling you anything– because scumbags like this pair are out there trying to take advantage of you. What a sad world we live in.
Very true…